Year: 2014

1Password 4.2 for Mac improves upon 1Password mini, AutoSave and item editing

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 12, 2018

We're pretty big fans of AgileBits's 1Password for iOS and OS X (Jeff and myself are converts). But why bother with a third-party app when Apple's new iCloud Keychain feature in iOS 7 and OS X Mavericks keeps all your website and app passwords, Wi-Fi logins and credit cards synced?

Lots of reasons, mainly because iCloud Keychain won't sync plenty of personal items like private notes, software serial numbers, bank accounts, passports and what not.

That's where 1Password comes in handy. First and foremost, 1Password uses a robust architecture to ensure that your private data remains private. Apps to manage passwords usually tend to be cumbersome, but that's never been the case with 1Password.

The software has been praised for its sleek interface, rich feature set and handy tools like browser extensions and the 1Password mini app which patiently sits in your Mac's menu bar to make remembering new passwords a hassle-free affair.

AgileBits is now introducing a new edition of 1Password for Mac which further refines the experience of using 1Password mini, the AutoSave feature and item editing. Read on for the full reveal...

Google updates Wallet app with new Orders feature

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 12, 2014

Google last month introduced some nice new features for its mobile Wallet app, namely the ability to scan your loyalty cards using the iPhone's iSight camera and receive notifications for offers from local merchants.

According to a post Wednesday on the Google Commerce Blog, the Internet giant is rolling out a new version of Wallet for iPhone which uses receipts from Gmail to track your online purchases.

The refreshed software is currently being rolled out to US-based customers so keep an eye on the App Store as the app goes live in the course of this week...

FiftyThree’s Paper updated with new iOS 7 design, improved zoom and more

Cody Lee ∙ March 12, 2014

FiftyThree announced a significant update for its popular Paper for iPad drawing app this afternoon, bringing the app to version 1.6.1. The update brings about an iOS 7-inspired redesign with new fonts, buttons and toggles, as well as a handful of other improvements.

Among those improvements are more powerful zoom and ink—when you zoom in on your artwork, your tools do too, giving you finer control over the smaller areas—and better dot control. Now, the dot size in your Draw and Erase tools is linked to how long you press...

MLB Advanced Media teases upcoming RBI Baseball reboot

Cody Lee ∙ March 12, 2014

Earlier this year, the MLB and its in-house development studio MLB Advanced Media announced that they would be teaming up to revive the classic RBI Baseball franchise. The game series, which first debuted on the NES in 1986, hasn't seen a new addition in nearly 20 years.

But that's set to change soon with RBI Baseball 14 for mobile devices and consoles. And judging by the comments made by MLBAM's VP of games Jamie Leece today, it's going to feature the same fast-paced gameplay and simple controls that users loved about the original title...

Rovio says upcoming ‘Angry Birds Epic’ game is a turn-based RPG

Cody Lee ∙ March 12, 2014

Over the weekend, Rovio posted a teaser trailer for an unknown, upcoming Angry Birds title. The clip was short, and offered up few details about the game outside of showing a bird wearing knight's armor and announcing countries that would participate in the soft launch.

Well today, the studio revealed that the game is going to be called Angry Birds Epic and it's not going to be the typical bird-flinger. In fact, far from it. The new title will actually fall into the 'adventure role-playing' genre, with a turn-based combat system and extensive crafting...

Microsoft OneNote reportedly hitting Mac soon: free, new clipper feature and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 24, 2018

Windows giant Microsoft is said to be bringing its note-taking app, OneNote, to the Mac later this month. The company has companion OneNote apps for the iPhone and iPad in the App Store, available free of charge. On the desktop side of things, however, the app's been exclusive to Windows.

The Verge is reporting that Microsoft, for the first time, will be making the desktop app free to both Mac and Windows users in March, unbundling it fully from the cost of Office.

The Redmond giant originally released OneNote more than a decade ago...

For some, Touch ID isn’t playing nice with iOS 7.1

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 12, 2014

Apple two days ago released its iOS 7.1 software update containing a host of bug fixes, performance improvements and a couple new features.

Among the enhancements: better Touch ID accuracy and reliability. For the vast majority of iPhone 5s owners, Touch ID indeed seems to be working better and faster after upgrading to iOS 7.1.

On the other hand, a growing thread on Apple's support forums clearly indicates that a subset of iPhone 5s owners could be plagued with various issues with the sensor.

The hiccups vary from Touch ID not working at all or functioning only sporadically to having difficulty producing a match, saved prints in iOS Settings > Touch ID & Password mysteriously disappearing and more.

And how's Touch ID for you in iOS 7.1?

iPhone return policy drops from 30 to 14 days

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 12, 2014

Apple's just made an important change to its iPhone return policy. According to the firm's newly-updated Retail Store Purchase Policies, customers who bought an iPhone directly from the Apple Online Store and in Apple Retail Stores now have 14 days to return it for a refund.

"For iPhone returns, you may return your undamaged iPhone with its included accessories within 14 days of purchase for a full refund," Apple acknowledges.

Previously, people had 30 days to return their iPhone for a refund. The company has apparently shortened the return window in order to match carriers' 14-day policy...

Apple reportedly testing iTunes Radio as a standalone iOS 8 app

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated November 9, 2016

According to a new report by the well-connected Apple blogger Mark Gurman, the iPhone maker is testing iTunes Radio as a standalone iOS 8 app.

iTunes Radio is currently part of the stock Music app in iOS 7 and moving it to a standalone app is said to be a way of boosting usage, according to sources briefed on the plans. This should allow users to more quickly access iTunes Radio and, which will come pre-installed in iOS 8.

The UI of the standalone iTunes Radio app is said to be "nearly identical" to its iOS Music counterpart, with the Home screen icon resembling a terrestrial radio graphic atop a red background...

Let’s Talk Jailbreak 48: Big tweaks coming

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 16, 2018

Episode 48: The gang talks about the release of iOS 7.1 and the subsequent death of the Evasi0n7 jailbreak. Jeff hints and some of the upcoming Cydia releases that will have a big time impact on the jailbreak community. We answer some of your questions from the #LetsTalkJailbreak Twitter hashtag.

Starbucks bringing shake-to-pay, digital tipping and iOS 7-friendly look to iPhone app

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 12, 2014

Starbucks, the global coffee company and coffeehouse chain, announced Wednesday that new features are coming to its free iPhone application next Wednesday, March 19.

For starters, coffee aficionados in the United States and Canada will be able to use the firm's free iPhone app to tip their baristas in $0.50, $1 and $2 denominations at more than 7,000 company-operated locations in the U.S. This has apparently been a much-requested feature.

And to make mobile payments even easier, the app will include a brand new (and pretty handy) 'Shake to Pay' feature which does exactly that - you can just shake your iPhone to quickly bring the barcode of your Starbucks Card to the front, saving you diving into Apple's Passbook app...

Massive Verbs IM update brings iOS 7 UI, Dropbox integration, iCloud sync and lots more

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 26, 2018

Despite the undeniable usefulness of Apple's iMessage and the massive popularity of WhatsApp, many people still rely a variety of other messaging services, from the Facebook chat to Gtalk to AIM (who still uses AIM?) to Yahoo Messenger and a variety of emerging and lesser-known services with cryptic names.

Verbs by #include tech was released on the iPhone back in January 2011 and instantly won me over with its gorgeous interface that looks like it was designed by Apple itself.

It supports tons of instant messaging services, has a native iPad UI, delivers notifications for incoming messages and lots more. In todays Verbs 3.0 update, now available in the App Store free to existing users, the app is now iOS 7-ready and improved in ways more than one.

For starters, it now uses iCloud to sync your chat archives across devices in real-time - something Apple's iMessage still can't do. Verbs 3.0 integrates with Dropbox for sharing files and photos in chat, supports the Jabber protocol (useful for Hipchat and other Jabber-compliant IM services), while introducing a slew of new notification options.

The full breakdown is right after the break...